Echoes of a Shattered Vow

At her parents' graves, Lillian bowed slowly.

In the past, when Elton hurt her, she'd come here to pour out her heart.

This time, she didn't cry.

She just spoke firmly. "Mom, Dad, I'm done with Elton. I'm going abroad to live with Uncle Alonzo. I don't know when I'll see you guys again."

After paying her respects, she didn't wait for Elton.

As she prepared to leave, someone grabbed her, covering her mouth and dragging her to a shadowy spot.

She struggled desperately, then saw a familiar figure step out from behind a tree.

Jill came over and slapped her across the face. "Do you think I can't see through your little act? You think playing the victim and bringing up your parents will make Elton love you? He's with me now. You still won't give up? Do you think I'm invisible? Since you love playing weak so much, let me help you out."

Jill smirked and signaled behind her. Several men with leering grins lunged at Lillian.

She tried to scream, but the man holding her stuffed a rag in her mouth.

"Stop struggling. No one's coming," Jill taunted, looking down at her. "Oh, and one more thing. I asked Elton what he'd do if he married anyone but me. He said he'd kill her, then himself. He loves me so much. No way he could be swayed by you. Honestly, I just can't stand you. How dare you try to steal him from me? Get ready to face the consequences."

Lillian's mind reeled. 'So, that's why Elton was reborn, too.'

After pulling her oxygen tube, he'd taken his own life, consumed by guilt over Jill. Even now, when she'd stepped back, they wouldn't let her go.

Lillian fought to protect herself, a tear sliding down her cheek.

"What do we do with her, boss?" one man asked.

"Useless idiots!" Jill snapped, taking out a pill from her bag and tossing it to him. "Make her swallow this. It'll sap her strength and make her cooperate."

Lillian stared at the pill in horror, scrambling back.

Suddenly, Elton's voice cut through. "Jill, are you there?"

Lillian thrashed, muffled cries escaping the rag, hoping to draw him over.

The hooligan panicked, shoving the rag deeper in a hurry.

Elton caught the noise and started toward them. "Jill, is that you?"

"Shit, he found us," groaned the hooligan.

"Damn it," Jill cursed under her breath. "I forgot the tracker on my phone."

She gritted her teeth and messed up her hair before grabbing the pill from the hooligan and swallowing it. "Quick, grab me. Make it look like you're attacking me."

The hooligans hesitated. "Uh, is that okay?"

"Do it!" Jill hissed. "Say Lillian set you up. You'll get a big reward."

She yanked the rag from Lillian's mouth and shoved her aside before collapsing dramatically.

Before Lillian could scream, she wailed, "Help! Elton, where are you? Save me! Get away from me! Help!"

"Jill!" Elton sprinted over, his eyes blazing at the scene.

Elton's fists flew, pummeling the hooligans until they sprawled on the ground. He kept kicking, unrelenting.

Jill grabbed his waist. "Stop, Elton! You'll kill them."

The hooligans fled.

Elton regained control, gently holding Jill. "Are you okay? I'm sorry I'm late."

Jill squirmed in his arms, distressed. "You didn't come home, so I came looking for you, but..."

She sobbed, continuing, "Lillian's guys forced me to take some kind of drug. I feel awful, Elton. Help me, please. I'm dying."

"What?" Elton's face tightened as he felt her hot breath, his veins bulging.

Lillian, still shaking from fear, tried to speak. "No, I didn't."

Tears spilled before her words.

Jill pointed at her. "She is mad that I took you from her. She said she'd ruin me and make sure I couldn't show my face around you again."

Lillian tried defending herself. "It was her..."

Elton's hand cracked across her face, his eyes burning with rage. "You're still lying?"

His icy glare pierced her heart.

Jill let out a pained whimper. "I can't take it."

Elton's voice softened instantly. He kissed her forehead. "Don't worry. I'll fix this."

He scooped her up and headed for a nearby hotel.

Lillian, sprawled on the ground, felt her cheek stinging. Tears blurred her vision, and she passed out.

When she woke up, she was back home on her bed.

"Awake?" Elton stood beside her, sighing. "Jill told me everything. She's sorry. She just loves me too much and fears losing me. She wants you to be her bridesmaid to make up for it."

Lillian froze. She knew his love for Jill, but their shamelessness still surprised her.

Jill had nearly ruined her life, but Elton brushed it off with an apology and expected her to play bridesmaid for the culprit.

"Make up for it?" she said, her voice rising. "She wants me to watch you two get married, and that's her apology?"

Elton didn't answer, his stern expression brooking no argument.

Lillian took a deep breath, breaking the standoff. "Fine! I'm leaving soon anyway."

"Leaving?" Elton's voice spiked. He grabbed her wrist. "You're still going on about that? Don't push your luck! You will be her bridesmaid."

No matter what she said, he ignored her, locking her in her room. "When you're ready to play nice and be Jill's bridesmaid, I'll let you out."

"No, let me out!" She pounded the door.

He sat on the couch, silently clenching his fists. He couldn't understand why she was so set on leaving or why her insistence sparked such anger in him every time.

As her departure date neared, he still showed no sign of freeing her. He'd even taken her phone, cutting her off from Alonzo and leaving her restless.

For the next few days, Elton threw himself into wedding plans, sending food to her room daily.

On the wedding day, he finally opened the door, holding a fancy box. "Get changed. The driver's coming soon. Don't mess up my wedding."

He locked the door and left for the wedding venue.

Moments later, the door creaked open. Several burly men in suits entered, startled to see Lillian slumped on the floor.

"Ms. Hogan, are you okay? Should we call Mr. Ballard?" the leader asked.

Lillian looked up, realizing these were Alonzo's men. Today was her departure day, and they were here to pick her up.

She stood up, leaning on the wall. "I'm fine. Take me to him."

On the plane, just before takeoff, Lillian pulled out her phone and deleted every trace of Elton.

'Goodbye, Elton,' she whispered silently. 'We're done for good.'